Controller capable of operating plural operation objects by switching display of operation surface of operation member

ABSTRACT

An operation member is provided with a planar input device, and a detachable display sheet is overlaid on the surface of the planar input device. There are two types of display sheets, in which input items are different. Cutouts are formed at the respective peripheral edge portions thereof, and a determination device for detecting these cutouts is provided. Wireless communication is performed between the operation member and a host, and the display sheet is replaced according to the function performed by the host.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a controller by which wirelessoperations are possible and, more particularly, to a controller by whichoperations of plural operation objects are possible by switching thedisplay of the operation surface of an operation member.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Electronic apparatuses, such as television receivers, aresupplied with wireless controllers so that various operations becomepossible from a remote position. The surface of the controller isprovided with button switches by which a channel can be selected and thesound volume can be adjusted.

[0005] Recently, with the increasing popularity of the Internet,controllers have appeared which enable the browsing of home pages (webpages) and transmission and reception of mail by using the screen of atelevision receiver. This type of controller is provided with an inputmechanism to be used for mail operation, in addition to the inputmechanism for selecting a channel. During mail operation, a keyarrangement of a keyboard device is displayed on, for example, thetelevision screen, and the appropriate input mechanism is operated onthe basis of this display screen.

[0006] However, in the above-described conventional controller, whenmany functions are added, the number of operation keys which form thecombined input mechanism increases correspondingly, and the ease ofoperation is compromised. The controller becomes large and cumbersome.Furthermore, if controllers for selecting a channel and for using theInternet are provided separately, the management and storage ofcontrollers becomes inconvenient. In addition, if other devices such asvideo recorders for recording and replaying videotapes, and otherfunctions are added to the controller, the number of operation keysfurther increases, and the ease of operation, etc., is furthercompromised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-describedproblems. It is an object of the present invention to provide acontroller to which many functions may be added without compromising theease of operation.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present inventionprovides a controller which enables wireless communication between anoperation member and a host. The operation member comprises atransmission mechanism, an input mechanism, and a display member fordisplaying an input portion of the input means, the display member iscapable of changing the display of an input portion and/or an input itemof the input portion. A control section generates a transmission signalcorresponding to the display of the display member when the inputmechanism is operated.

[0009] The input mechanism may be a planar input device to which acoordinate position can be input, and the display member may be overlaidon the planar input device.

[0010] In the present invention, since the displays of input portionsand input items are switched according to the function, it becomesunnecessary to provide an operation member with many input portions andinput items, and the ease of operation can be improved. Moreover, itbecomes possible to reduce the size of the operation member.Furthermore, since the input portions and the input items can be easilychanged, operation members specialized for respective hosts are notformed, the operation members are shared, and only the display member ischanged. Therefore, handling various hosts can be easily performed.

[0011] For example, the display member may be a display sheet which canbe attached to and detached from the operation member. A determinationmechanism may determine the type of the display sheet attached, and thecontrol section generates a transmission signal according to the type ofdisplay sheet determined by the determination mechanism.

[0012] Each display sheet may be provided with a cutout or a projectionat a different position according to the type thereof, and the existenceof the cutout or the projection may be determined by the determinationmechanism. Alternatively a bar code may be formed, and the type of thedisplay sheet determined by the determination mechanism.

[0013] The display member may be a display panel capable of switchingdisplay contents, and an input portion and/or an input item displayed onthe display panel may be switched in accordance with a switching signalsupplied from the host to the operation member.

[0014] Only basic input portions may be displayed on the display panel,and when the functions are to be switched, the above-mentioned displaysheet may further be overlaid on the display panel, so that an operationis performed.

[0015] The above and further objects, aspects and novel features of theinvention will become more fully apparent from the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an operation memberused in a controller according to the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the controlleraccording to the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing another operationmember used in the controller according to the present invention; and

[0019]FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the controlleraccording to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a controlleraccording to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagramshowing the controller according to the present invention.

[0021] A controller 1 shown in FIG. 1 is designed to enable wirelesscommunication by radio waves between a host (television receiver) 20 andan operation member 2. By operating the operation member 2, a pluralityof functions provided in the host 20 can be controlled. Examples of thefunctions include the browsing of home pages, and transmission andreception of mail, in addition to television programs and moviesdisplays normally displayed on a television screen, but are not limitedthereto. Wireless communication by optical communication, such as viainfrared light, may also be performed between the operation member 2 andthe host 20.

[0022] The operation member 2 is made of a resin box-type case 2 a, anda rectangular cutout portion 3 is formed on the operation surface side(the obverse surface) of the case 2 a. A planar input device 4 (or inputmechanism)is mounted in the cutout portion 3. The planar input device 4can detect an input coordinate position. Examples of the types ofdetectors that may be mounted in the planar input device 4 include apressure-sensitive-type, X-Y-axis contact-type, and electrostatic-typepad.

[0023] A pressure-sensitive-type pad is one in which a pair ofresistance sheets are arranged facing each other with a very small spacetherebetween. X-axis electrodes are formed on both ends of one of theresistance sheets, and Y-axis electrodes are formed on both ends of theother resistance sheet. The coordinate position is detected by measuringa voltage applied between the X-axis electrode and the Y-axis electrode,which is generated when the pad is pushed in, causing the respectivesheets to be brought into contact with each other. An X-Y-axiscontact-type pad is one in which X-axis electrodes and Y-axis electrodesare arranged in a matrix, and in which a coordinate position is detectedby sequentially supplying electrical current to the X-axis electrodesand by detecting a signal output from the Y-axis electrodes. Anelectrostatic-type pad is one in which X-axis electrodes and Y-axiselectrodes are provided facing each other at right angles to each otherwith an insulating sheet therebetween, and in which a coordinateposition is detected by determining the change in electrostatic capacityon the pad surface which is generated when the operator touches the pad.

[0024] An elongated insertion opening 5 is provided on one side of thecase 2 a, and a display sheet 6 as a display member is attached/detachedvia this insertion opening 5. The display sheet 6 is made of a flexibleresin and the sheet is overlaid on the planar input device 4. Theinsertion opening 5 permits different display sheets 6 to be swapped ina single, straightforward manner and the addition of the insertionopening 5 to the case 2 a provides an economical, efficient solution tochanging the display sheets 6.

[0025] This display sheet 6 may be a sheet member made of paper withinput portions and input items formed thereon, and which is laminated bytransparent resin sheets. Furthermore, the case 2 a may be provided withanother operation member 9 so that, for example, functions are changedusing this operation member 9.

[0026] Input portions and input items, which are different for eachfunction provided in the host 20, are printed on the display sheet 6.For example, input portions for selecting a television channel and foradjusting a sound volume are formed on a display sheet 6A shown inFIG. 1. The input portions of the display sheet 6B used to inputcharacters, etc., during mail operation can be arranged similar to akeyboard device.

[0027] Triangular cutouts 6 a and 6 b are formed at mutually differentpositions at the peripheral edge portions of the display sheets 6A and6B. By switching the positions of the cutouts according to each displaysheet 6 in the above-described manner, the number of sheets which can beattached can be increased. Although not shown, the cutouts may be holesin the display sheets 6A and 6B rather than notches in the edges.Alternatively, projections, rather than cutouts, may be formed on thedisplay sheet 6. The display sheet 6 is not limited to those describedabove. If a video recorder is integrally built into the host 20, adisplay sheet for a video recorder may be provided. If a game machine isprovided in the host 20, a display sheet for a game may be provided.Also, a display sheet for browsing home pages may be provided.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation member 2 is provided with adetermination mechanism 8. The determination mechanism 8 is providedinside the case 2 a on a side opposite to the side in which theinsertion opening 5 is formed and at the position where the cutouts 6 aand 6 b are formed. This determination mechanism 8 can detect theexistence of the different display sheets, being, in FIG. 1, displaysheet 6A and display sheet 6B.

[0029] The determination mechanism 8 is formed of an optical systemincluding a photocoupler, etc. For example, light-emitting elements suchas LEDs are provided on the top side with the display sheets 6A and 6Bheld therebetween, and light-receiving elements such as photodiodes areprovided on the bottom side, so that whether or not light can bereceived by the light-receiving elements is detected. Also, thedetermination mechanism 8 may be such that the switch output can beswitched mechanically by the cutouts 6 a and 6 b, the projections, etc.In either case, the type of the display sheets 6A and 6B may bedetermined by completion of the appropriate circuit, be it optical,electrical, or mechanical. The cutout 6 a and 6 b and projection maythus be circuit completion structures.

[0030] Although in the determination mechanism 8, the determination ofthe display sheet 6 is made according to the position of the cutout, ifthe display sheets 6 to be attached and detached are of two types, thedetermination may be made based on whether or not there is a cutout. Asa result of the foregoing, when the light-receiving section detectslight only at the position of the cutout 6 a, the determinationmechanism 8 determines that the display sheet 6A is attached, and whenlight is detected only at the position of the cutout 6 b, thedetermination mechanism 8 determines that the display sheet 6B isattached.

[0031] In addition to the determination of the display sheet 6A and thedisplay sheet 6B, when a state in which light is received at both thepositions of the cutouts 6 a and 6 b and a state in which light is notreceived at either position are set, the determination of a total offour kinds of sheets can be made.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the operation member 2 is provided with acontrol section 10. The planar input device 4, the determinationmechanism 8, a transmission section 11, a receiving section 12, and amemory 13 are connected to the control section 10. Meanwhile, the host20 on the television receiver side is provided with a CPU 21 to whichreceiving section 22, a transmission section 23, a memory 24, and adisplay section 25 are connected.

[0033] In the operation member 2 formed in the above-described manner,the display sheet 6A or the display sheet 6B is inserted via theinsertion opening 5. The display sheets 6A and 6B are inserted up to aposition where the input portions and the input items can be seen fromwithin the frame formed of the cutout portion 3, and are inserted up toa position where the display sheets 6A and 6B can be determined by thedetermination mechanism 8.

[0034] When the operation member 2 is to be used for selecting atelevision channel, the display sheet 6A is attached via the insertionopening 5. As a result, the determination mechanism 8 detects the cutout6 a and determines that the display sheet 6A is attached. At this time,a determination signal indicating that the display sheet 6A is attachedis sent to the control section 10, and in the control section 10, atransmission signal corresponding to the display sheet 6A overlaid onthe planar input device 4 is generated.

[0035] As a result of the above, for example, when the display of“channel 1” is pressed from above the display sheet 6A, only the portionof “channel 1” formed on the display sheet 6A is flexed, and thepressing-in force at this time causes the planar input device 4 overlaidbelow the display sheet 6A to be pressed. As a result, the coordinateposition is detected by the planar input device 4, and data indicatingthis coordinate position is sent to the control section 10. In thecontrol section 10, it is recognized that the position at which theplanar input device 4 is operated is pressed in the portion of thedisplay of “channel 1” on the basis of the data indicating thecoordinate position, and a transmission signal corresponding to thedisplay is generated. At this time, the transmission signalcorresponding to “channel 1” may be read from the memory 13 inaccordance with the data indicating the coordinate position. Thetransmission signal is transmitted to the host 20 via the transmissionsection 11. In the receiving section 22 of the host 20, the transmissionsignal is received, and control for switching the screen of the displaysection 25 to “channel 1” is performed by the CPU 21 provided in thehost 20.

[0036] When an operation key formed on the display sheet 6A foradjusting sound volume is pressed, a transmission signal for changingthe sound volume is generated based on the input data of the coordinateposition, and a predetermined process is performed by the host 20.

[0037] In the host 20, when the display section 25 is changed from thechannel switch function, etc. on the television screen to the functionof transmitting and receiving mail, and the screen for transmitting andreceiving mail is displayed on the display section 25, the display sheet6A is removed from the case 2 a, and the display sheet 6B is attached.At this time, in the determination mechanism 8, the cutout 6 b isdetected, and a transmission signal indicating that the display sheet 6Bis attached is sent to the control section 10. In the control section10, the operation input from the planar input device 4 is switched sothat a transmission signal corresponding to the display sheet 6B isgenerated.

[0038] In the case of the foregoing, in the host 20, software for mailmay be read from the memory 24 under the control of the CPU 21 so thatthe screen for transmitting and receiving mail is displayed on thedisplay section 25.

[0039] When the functions are switched in the above-described manner, aswitching signal for prompting the replacement of the display sheet 6may be supplied to the operation member 2 from the host 20.

[0040] As for the switching signal, for example, a sound generatingmechanism 14 may be provided within the operation member 2, and when theswitching is performed from the television screen display function tothe mail transmitting and receiving function, an instruction indicatingwhich one of the display sheets 6 should be attached is generated bysound from the sound generating mechanism 14. Instead of the soundgenerating mechanism, a display mechanism 14 may be provided. In thiscase, an identification number, such as a serial number, may be writtenon each display sheet 6, so that this identification number is displayedby the display mechanism 14.

[0041] If an appropriate display sheet 6 is not attached within the case2 a or if an incorrect display sheet 6 is attached and is operated, thesound generating mechanism may generate a buzzer sound, and the displaymechanism may indicate an error by displaying, for example, characters,or symbols.

[0042] In the case of the foregoing, in the host 20, a signal promptingthe change of the display sheet 6 or a signal indicating an error isread from the memory 24 under the control of the CPU 21, and istransmitted to the operation member 2 from the transmission section 23.In the operation member 2, the signal is received by the receivingsection 12, and predetermined control is performed by the soundgenerating mechanism (or display mechanism) 14.

[0043] Although not shown, a light-emitter, load generator, etc., may beprovided in the operation member 2. In the case of the light-emitter, alight-emitting member such as an LED may be provided in the case 2 a sothat the LED is made to emit light when a misoperation is performed. Inthe case of the load generator, a vibration generator such as a motormay be provided within the case 2 a so that the case 2 a is vibrated bythe motor when a misoperation is performed.

[0044] Next, a second embodiment of a controller of the presentinvention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, a controller 30 of the present inventionmakes possible wireless communication by radio waves between the host(television receiver) 20 and an operation member 31. Since the host 20in this embodiment is the same as that in the above-described controller1, the description thereof is omitted.

[0046] The operation member 31 shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a thindisplay panel 32 formed of a liquid-crystal panel, an electroluminescent(EL) display panel, or the like on the surface of a case 31 a. Thedisplay panel 32 changes the input portions and the input itemsdisplayed suchthat the display panel 32 becomes an operation surface forselecting a channel on a television screen or an operation surface fortransmitting and receiving mail, but is not limited thereto. Also, thisdisplay panel 32 is such that the surface thereof becomes a surface onwhich an operation is performed, and as a result of the operationsurface being pressed by a finger, a pen, etc., a predeterminedtransmission signal corresponding to the operation surface is generated.

[0047] For example, a liquid-crystal panel is laminated as the displaypanel 32 on the planar input device 4 shown in FIG. 1, and the inputportions and the input items are displayed on the display panel 32.Then, when the display panel 32 is pressed, a predetermined portion ofthe planar input device 4 is indicated. For example, when the planarinput device 4 is a pressure-sensitive type, the display panel 32 isdeformed, causing a predetermined portion of the planar input device 4to be pressed. Also, when the planar input device 4 is an electrostatictype, a coordinate can be input by the planar input device 4 by touchingthe display panel 32 with a conductor, such as a finger.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the operation member 31 is provided with acontrol section 33. The display panel 32, a transmission section 34, areceiving section 35, and a memory 36 are connected to the controlsection 33.

[0049] In the host 20, when the display section 25 is switched to atelevision screen, display data (image data) is read from the memory 24under the control of the CPU 21 and is transmitted from the transmissionsection 23 to the operation member 31. In the operation member 31, thedisplay data is received by the receiving section 35, and the display ofthe display panel 32 is switched to that for selecting a channel or foradjusting a sound volume under the control of the control section 33.Also, when the display section 25 is switched to that for transmittingand receiving mail, in the CPU 21, display data for inputtingcharacters, etc., shown on the display sheet 6B of FIG. 1, is loadedfrom the memory 24, and is transmitted to the operation member 31. Inthe operation member 31, the display data is transmitted to the displaypanel 32 by the control section 33, and the display of the display panel32 is switched to that for inputting characters, etc.

[0050] The display data may be stored within the memory 36 of theoperation member 31. For the switching of the display of the displaypanel 32 in this case, a specific code number corresponding to the inputportion or the input item displayed on the display panel 32 istransmitted from the host 20 to the operation member 31. In theoperation member 31, the code number is received, and the display datacorresponding to the received code number may be read from the memory 36and may be transmitted to the display panel 32, so that the display ofthe display panel 32 is switched.

[0051] The controller of the present invention is not limited to theabove-described embodiments, and may be such that, for example, theabove-described display sheets can be attached/detached on a thindisplay panel. In the case of only a display device, the controller maybe used for selecting a channel, and when the controller is used foranother function, a display sheet in accordance with each function maybe attached.

[0052] In a controller which is used such that the display sheet 6 isattached/detached, a housing space for housing the display sheet 6 maybe provided on the rear side of the case 2 a.

[0053] Furthermore, the display sheet 6 may be stored within the case 2a, and a predetermined display sheet may be placed on the planar inputdevice 4 to correspond to the switching of the functions. Also,different input portions and input items may be formed on both theobverse surface and the reverse surface of the display sheet 6.

[0054] In addition, other determination mechanisms are possible besidesthe optical systems described herein. For example, electricaldetermination mechanisms may be used. In this case, the case may containelectrical circuit(s) and the display sheets each contain at least oneelectrical circuit that corresponds to the electrical circuit(s) in thecase. Examples include different display sheets that ground differentnumbers of the electrical circuits in the case or different parts of asingular circuit (and measuring the resistance). Similarly, moresophisticated circuit or chips may be formed on the display sheet ifdesired. In either case, the display sheets may be uniquely identifiedby the circuitry therein.

[0055] As has thus been described, according to the present invention,many functions may be provided by one operation member, and since manyinput portions and input items are not provided in the operation member,the ease of operation is not compromised. Moreover, it is possible toreduce the size of the operation member.

[0056] Furthermore, since bidirectional communication becomes possiblebetween a host and an operation member, when functions are changed, thedisplays of the input portions and the input items are switchedautomatically.

[0057] Many different embodiments of the present invention may beconstructed without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. It should be understood that the present invention is notlimited to the specific embodiments described in this specification. Tothe contrary, the present invention is intended to cover variousmodification and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the invention as hereafter claimed. The scope of the followingclaims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompassall such modifications, equivalent structures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A controller which enables wireless communicationbetween an operation member and a host, said operation membercomprising: a transmission mechanism; an input mechanism; a displaymember that displays an input portion of said input mechanism, the inputportion including input items, display of one of the input portion andat least one input item being changeable; and a control section thatgenerates a transmission signal corresponding to said display of saiddisplay member when said input mechanism is operated.
 2. A controlleraccording to claim 1, wherein said input mechanism is a planar inputdevice to which a coordinate position can be input, and said displaymember is overlaid on said planar input device.
 3. A controlleraccording to claim 2, wherein said display member is a display sheetattachable to and detachable from said operation member, said operationmember comprises a determination mechanism that determines a type ofsaid display sheet attached, the type of display sheet dependent on thecontents therein, and said control section generates the transmissionsignal according to the type of display sheet determined by saiddetermination mechanism.
 4. A controller according to claim 3, whereinsaid display sheet comprises one of a cutout and a projection at adifferent position according to the type thereof, and the existence ofsaid one of said cutout and said projection is determined by saiddetermination mechanism.
 5. A controller according to claim 1, whereinsaid display member is a display panel having display contents that areswitched by the operation member, and one of the input portions and atleast one input items displayed on said display panel are switched inaccordance with a switching signal supplied from said host to saidoperation member.
 6. A controller according to claim 3, furthercomprising a plurality of display sheets, each said display sheet havinga unique combination of one of at least one cutout and at least oneprojection, and the determination mechanism determining a specificdisplay sheet from the unique combination therein.
 7. A controlleraccording to claim 6, the unique combination comprising a unique numberof said one of at least one cutout and at least one projection.
 8. Acontroller according to claim 6, the unique combination comprising aunique position of said one of at least one cutout and at least oneprojection.
 9. A controller according to claim 6, further comprising acase retaining the input mechanism and storing the display sheetstherein.
 10. A controller according to claim 3, the display sheetcomprising opposing faces of different types, the type of the face ofthe display sheet more distal to the input mechanism determined by thedetermination mechanism.
 11. A controller according to claim 10, thedisplay sheet having one of at least one cutout and at least oneprojection, and the existence of the at least one of said cutout and theat least one projection determined by said determination mechanism. 12.A controller according to claim 3, the display sheet having a circuitcompletion structure disposed in the display member, the determinationmechanism determining the type of the display member from the existenceand position of the circuit completion structure.
 13. A controlleraccording to claim 2, wherein said display member is a display sheetremovable from said operation member, said operation member comprises adetermination mechanism that determines contents of an obverse face ofthe display sheet, and said control section generates the transmissionsignal according to the contents of the obverse face of display sheetdetermined by said determination mechanism.
 14. A controller accordingto claim 3, further comprising a case retaining the input mechanism andthe display sheet therein, the case comprising a slot through which thedisplay sheet is conveyed from an area internal to the case to an areaexternal to the case.
 15. A controller according to claim 3, thedetermining mechanism comprising an optical system.
 16. A controlleraccording to claim 15, the display sheet further comprising a bar code,the determining mechanism determining the type of the display sheet fromthe bar code.
 17. A controller according to claim 3, the determiningmechanism comprising a mechanical system having switches whose statesare dependent on the type of the display sheet.
 18. A controlleraccording to claim 5, the display panel comprising a liquid crystaldisplay having contents displayed thereon switched in accordance withthe switching signal.
 19. A controller according to claim 1, the inputmechanism comprising one of a pressure-sensitive pad, X-Y-axis contactpad, and electrostatic pad.
 20. An operation member in wirelesscommunication with a host, said operation member comprising: a case; atransmission mechanism disposed in the case, the transmission mechanismtransmitting a transmission signal to the host; a planar input mechanismdisposed in the case; a removable display sheet disposed in the case,the display panel overlaid on the input mechanism when in an operationalposition; and a control section to generate the transmission signalcorresponding to a contacted portion of said display panel in theoperational position.
 21. An operation member according to claim 20,said operation member further comprising a determination mechanism todetermine the contents of the display sheet in the operational position,and the control section to establish an input portion of the inputmechanism corresponding to the contents of the display sheet asdetermined by said determination mechanism.
 22. An operation memberaccording to claim 21, wherein the determination mechanism determinesthe contents of the display sheet in accordance with a physicalstructure of the display sheet.
 23. An operation member according toclaim 21, further comprising a plurality of display sheets, each displaysheet having a unique physical structure.
 24. An operation memberaccording to claim 23, the physical structure of each display sheetcomprising a unique number and positioning of one of at least one cutoutand at least one projection.
 25. An operation member according to claim23, further comprising a case retaining the input mechanism and storingthe display sheets therein.
 26. An operation member according to claim21, the display sheet comprising opposing faces having differentcontents disposed thereon, the contents of the face of the display sheetmore distal to the input mechanism being determined by the determinationmechanism.
 27. An operation member according to claim 21, thedetermination mechanism determining the contents of the display sheetfrom one of completion and non-completion of at least one circuit bydisplay sheet.
 28. An operation member according to claim 20, the casecomprising a slot through which the display sheet is conveyed from anarea internal to the case to an area external to the case.